Historic finds unearthed in Elsecar

WORK to restore Elsecar's historic Newcomen beam engine is turning into Time Team - with some "wonderful" finds being uncovered.

These include railway sidings that are more than 100 years old and evidence that some of the great bridges designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel were made in Elsecar.

The public turned out in force to an open day on Wednesday at Elsecar Heritage Centre to see how works are progressing.

Legendary English engineer Kingdom Brunel (1806 to 1859) built the Great Western railway and the first propeller driven steam ship as well as many important bridges and tunnels. His work is said to have revolutionised modern engineering.

People can attend further open days at Elsecar on August 7 and August 21.

They will see the Newcomen beam engine which is the last example of its type still in place and was used to pump water out of mines.

Work to restore the engine has taken three years and cost £500,000 in a project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The attraction officially opens to the public in October.